Product showcase 2020: From a complete meal in a bar to Easter treats
Keep on baking
Gluten free flour producer Oast to Host has reported a surge in online sales as gluten-free consumer join in the baking craze to keep self-isolation boredom at bay. The brand is also filling a gap left by the shortage of traditional flour in the UK.
Oast to Host launched its range of flours last year, designed to create a variety of baked goods from crisp shortcrust to light cake sponge. The range is 100% gluten free, wheat free and vegetarian.
“We are so happy to think that our products might be bringing a little joy to people at such an awful time,” said Claire Forster, co-owner of Oast to Host.
“We’re only too happy to help out: gluten free or not, it’s a time for us all to pull together. We have generated a coupon code SPREADKINDNESS on our website offering you 10% off your order, while the country is in national crisis.”
According to Foster, the flours are easy to use, roll and bake, making them manageable for both beginners and expert bakers.
The pastry flour blend can be made into sweet, plain or dairy free shortcrust, puff pastry or shortbread, while Oast to Host Cake Flour can be used for sticky toffee pudding, scones, blinis, biscuits and cakes.
The range is available in paper-based recyclable packaging, and retails online from oasttohost.com for an RRP of £4.00 for a 450g pack. There are also catering sizes available: 3.5kg, 16kg or 25kg bags.
Have your cake and eat it
Dessert company Gü has launched a vegan and gluten-free version of its Salted Caramel Cheesecake.
The cheesecake features a gluten-free biscuit base topped with layers of salted caramel, coconut cream and vegan cream cheese.
“Our Gü Salted Caramel Cheesecakes are one of our most popular puds, so we wanted to create a version which could be enjoyed by everyone,” said Gü head chef, Fred Ponnavoy.
“The new Fabulously Free From Salted Caramel Cheesecakes have been created with the same irresistible flavour in every spoonful so that everyone can make time for Gü.”
The new option joins Gü’s existing free-from cheesecake lineup – including Chocolate & Vanilla, Strawberry & Rhubarb and Spanish Lemon – and is available in Sainsbury’s and Morrisons in the UK, for an RRP of £3.50 for a two-pack.
Easter treats
Fatherson Bakery is launching a range of limited-edition cakes to celebrate Easter.
The UK bakery is also donating a proportion of the Easter Cake Range to food banks based in Alcester and will be providing a selection of the Easter Cake Range to NHS (National Health Service) staff in the region.
Packed in recycled and recyclable plastic, the range is available from selected outlets across the nation, including Spar, the Co-Op, Budgens and Nisa, along with independent grocery and farm shop. It is also available online at directdeliver.co.uk.
Created from 100% British ingredients, the Fatherson Easter Cake range includes:
- Mini Cupcake Easter Platter (9 cupcakes) for an RRP of £4.50
- Cupcake Easter Platter (12 cupcakes) for an RRP of £7.99
- Butterfly Easter Cakes (6 cakes) for an RRP of £3.50
- Simnel Cake – a light fruit cake topped with flame glazed marzipan – for an RRP of £6.00
- Easter Seasonal Cupcakes (2 cupcakes) for an RRP of £4.00
Cereal-ously delicious
Keto-friendly brand HighKey is expanding its portfolio of low-carb, grain-free products with the debut of a protein cereal that is also low in sugar.
The new breakfast offering is gluten-free and packs 10g of protein and 3g of fibre, and less than 1g of sugar – a total of 90 calories per serving.
“The consumer has spoken, and they are looking for low-carb, no added sugar foods that taste as good as the original,” said Joe Ens, co-CEO of HighKey.
“Our Protein Cereal brings back the childhood favourites to those who have had to give up on the classic category, but this time, it’s made grain-free with protein crisps and natural sweeteners, so consumers can enjoy our guilt-free flavours that are just as delicious as they remembered.”
Available in three nostalgic flavours – Cinnamon, Frosted and Cocoa – HighKey Protein Cereal is available for purchase on the company’s website and on Amazon for an RRP of $11.79 for a single pack or $41.97 for a variety pack.
Add fuel to your day
Complete food brand Huel is extending its bar range with the launch of a Peanut Butter flavour. This latest addition joins the brand’s existing Bar flavours; Salted Caramel, Chocolate, Chocolate Orange and Coffee Caramel.
Like all Huel’s products, the bar is nutritionally complete with a balance of macronutrients and 26 essential vitamins and minerals needed on a daily basis, and only clocks in at 200 calories per bar. It also contains 12g of plant-based protein low GI slow-release carbs to provide energy.
The bars are made from non-GMO ingredients, including oat flour and rolled oats, pea and brown rice protein, cocoa powder, coconut, date syrup and flaxseed. The new flavour includes roasted peanuts and vegan chocolate chips.
According to Huel, it is now one of the fastest growing brands in the UK, recently reaching the milestone of 100 million meals sold across 100 countries globally. The brand also offers nutritionally complete meals in powder and ready-to-drink format, making nutrition fast, easy and affordable.
The Peanut Butter Huel Bars are available online from huel.com for an RRP of £19.50 for 15 bars.
Each Huel packet has a year-long shelf life and produces zero food waste with minimal packaging waste.
Wake up to health
Nourish Organics has unveiled a range of unprocessed muesli and granola cereals specifically designed for the increasingly health-conscious Indian consumer.
The new offerings contain a mix of popped amaranth, fruits, nuts and seeds, along with organic brown sugar and honey to add a touch of sweetness, while cinnamon and vanilla provide a warm heat.
The Amaranth Muesli, Cocoa Crunch Granola, Cranberry Super Grain Granola, Honey Crunch Muesli, and Oats Granola varieties can be enjoyed in a bowl of milk, as a yoghurt topping or even as a standalone, guilt-free snack.
“With changing and hectic lifestyles making it difficult to dedicate time to cook, consumers largely prefer ready-to-eat cereals and thus the category holds a major share in the global market,” said Seema Jindal Jajodia, founder, Nourish Organics, noting the breakfast cereal market in India has grown at a CAGR of almost 18% over the past five years.
“Emerging economies are witnessing a paradigm shift in the purchasing behaviour and eating habits of customers. Rapid urbanisation and growth of the middle-class population in these economies are resulting in changing lifestyles and growth in demand for on-the-go options of meals.
“This is the prime reason for introducing such a wide variety of breakfast cereals. As cereals are considered to offer health benefits and are easy to prepare, they are witnessing augmented demand from consumers worldwide.”
Nourish Organics is a clean-label packaged food company on a mission to make healthy eating easier for the urban population through sustainable, organic food. The 11-year-old brand offers a wide range of wholesome, multi-grain breakfast cereals, nutrient-dense cookies, on-the-go snacks and fruit+fibre-based health bars.
Its products are certified by USDA, Intertek, India Organic and United Register of Systems and are available in a range of retail outlets across India, as well as online on Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, Milk Basket and Daily Ninja.
A big meaty birthday
KP Snacks has added a Fiery Steak flavour to its McCoy’s crisp brand, to celebrate the anniversary of the launch of McCoy’s Flame Grilled Steak.
“This year marks 35 years for our iconic McCoy’s Flame Grilled Steak,” said Claire Cooper, McCoy’s marketing manager.
“As one of the most popular crisps in the crisps, snacks and nuts category, we saw an opportunity to tap into consumer trends and launch a new product which offers a bold and delicious twist to the market.”
According to the snack producer, the launch was inspired by “the iconic McCoy’s Steak flavour with a bold punch of heat to spice up the nation’s favourite snacking occasions”.
The new variant is available now from major retail outlets across the UK in a 89p grab bag and £1 price-marked pack, and will be included in McCoy’s Strong & Spicy Variety multi-pack (£1.70) from May.
